Focus on ecotourism projects

(Baonghean) - In order to exploit tourism potential and attract many investment projects in this field to create attractive destinations, thereby linking the construction of tourism products (tangible and intangible), in the period of 2011 - 2015, our province is calling for and attracting investors to resort projects concentrated in mountainous and suburban districts.

According to the survey in the period of 2008 - 2010, Nghe An has 64 investment projects in the tourism sector, including 11 cultural projects related to tourism, 13 other projects related to tourism activities and 40 tourism projects. Currently, 11 projects have been completed and put into operation with a total investment of over 1,500 billion VND; 2 projects have completed phase 1 and are implementing phase 2 with a total investment of 1,770 billion VND; 19 projects are being implemented with a total investment of nearly 4,000 billion VND. In addition, there are 7 projects about to be implemented with a total capital of nearly 3,000 billion VND and 25 projects are calling for investment in the next phase with an investment capital of about 8,000 billion VND.

In general, there have been many investment projects in the past, but there are few large projects (currently there are only 4 projects with high quality and efficiency such as Bai Lu Resort, Sen Vang Resort, 18-hole golf course complex, Central Park) and investors have only focused on coastal tourism projects, city center locations (Vinh City, Cua Lo Town). Some projects are self-investigated and self-selected by investors. Currently, the projects that have been and are about to be implemented are mainly projects related to culture, transportation and the investors are mostly state management agencies in different fields. There are many projects in districts within the province's planning and development areas, with detailed descriptions to attract investors, but currently few investors are interested in them, such as Pha Lai Eco-tourism Area Project, Khe Kem Waterfall, Trang Den Lake, Xao Va Waterfall, Quyet Mountain Forest Park... These are eco-tourism projects associated with protecting the natural environment, scattered and concentrated mainly in the western districts such as Quy Chau, Que Phong, Con Cuong... How to attract investors to these projects is a problem that relevant sectors are very concerned about.

Xao Va Waterfall (Que Phong). Photo: Tran Ngoc Lan

One of the investment projects in Nghe An tourism that has a time highlight is Bai Lu Eco-tourism Area located in the sea arc to the Southeast of Lach Van - Cua Hien - Cua Xa, with an area of ​​nearly 160 hectares, with sea, forest and mountains, divided into 2 phases. Phase 1 (2005 - 2008) completed the high-class coastal resort; Phase 2 (2008 - 2015) built a 5-star hotel area, helicopter airport, golf course, cultural complex, sports and other entertainment services... Currently, although phase 2 is in the process of completing, Bai Lu Resort has been regularly chosen by domestic and foreign tourists as a meeting, exchange and relaxation place.

When asked why Bai Lu Investment and Business Joint Stock Company chose this place to invest in the construction of the Marine Ecotourism Project? Ms. Tran Thi Phu - General Director of Bai Lu Investment and Business Joint Stock Company said: Before investing in Bai Lu - Nghi Loc, we carefully studied the advantages to develop marine tourism here. After the survey, the consensus of the Provincial People's Committee created favorable conditions for the company to complete the necessary procedures in the fastest time. With the desire to create a civilized and modern tourist and resort area, one of the most modern in the region, creating luxurious tourism products and services to serve domestic and foreign tourists of the company has become a reality. Most tourists coming here feel new things, different from many beaches in the country. However, we are currently facing some difficulties in implementing the next phases of the project.

Ngu Island Pagoda. Photo: Cong Sang

As one of the localities with potential for sea tourism with diverse destinations, in recent years, Cua Lo Town has had many open policies and strategies to call for investment projects with the desire to accelerate the socio-economic development of Cua Lo Town. Along with attracting investment, the Town also pays attention to selecting capable investors, avoiding the situation of ineffective projects or projects that are not in accordance with approved planning. Currently, Cua Lo Town is attracting 7 large projects with an investment capital of nearly 3,000 billion VND. Typically, there are 2 Resoft tourist areas: Resoft tourist area located in Cua Hoi with an area of ​​34 hectares, the total investment for this project is up to 1,236 billion VND and the Northern tourist area of ​​Lan Chau peninsula is 17 hectares wide with a total investment of 588 billion VND.

In addition, Cua Lo Town is also focusing on investment projects in infrastructure construction such as: Construction of urban areas and luxury villas in Nghi Thu and Nghi Thuy wards, covering an area of ​​17 hectares with a total investment of 400 billion VND; Adjacent residential apartment complex in Nghi Hoa ward, covering an area of ​​3.1 hectares with a total investment of 385 billion VND; Hotel and restaurant project, covering an area of ​​0.6 hectares in Cua Hoi, covering an area of ​​197 billion VND; Eco-tourism area in Cua Hoi, covering an area of ​​2 hectares with a total investment of 75 billion VND; Container port expansion project in Nghi Thuy ward, covering an area of ​​1 hectare with a total investment of 12 billion VND.

Mr. Doan Tien Dung - Chairman of Cua Lo Town People's Committee said: In parallel with projects with capital from investors, the town is also promoting and calling for investors to invest in key projects such as: Ngu Island Project with an area of ​​49 hectares and calling for the construction of clean industrial factories in Nghi Thu with an area of ​​4 hectares. In the first days of the new year of Giap Ngo 2014, the Party Committee, government and people of Cua Lo Town have had new joy when the Provincial People's Committee recently issued Decision No. 2602 allowing Song Ngu Son Joint Stock Company to survey and plan the implementation of the project of ecological tourism complex, villas, resorts, and Lan Chau - Song Ngu sports and entertainment area. The total investment capital for this project is up to 1,900 billion VND. Because this is a large project, Song Ngu Son Company hired European experts to survey and design the work and has been completed to this point. Among the most notable items of the project is the cable car system connecting the mainland to Ngu Island. This project will help tourists visit the island faster and safer.

Talking to us, Mr. Tran Quoc Lam - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Song Ngu Son Joint Stock Company said: "With beautiful beaches, rich products, prime location, Cua Lo Town is located in the middle of the country's sea tourism destinations, can attract tourists from the North, the South, especially being a place in Uncle Ho's hometown, so we decided to invest in the project in Cua Lo Town. When the project is approved, we will immediately renovate Song Ngu Pagoda with a system of restaurants and services to serve tourists in the summer of 2014". The completed project of Lan Chau - Song Ngu eco-tourism complex, villas, resorts, and sports entertainment area will not only awaken the potential and strengths of sea and island tourism but also create a highlight for Cua Lo Town in particular and Nghe An tourism in general.

It can be affirmed that, thanks to attracting investment, the urban appearance of our province has changed a lot in recent times, the cultural and tourism space has been expanded, and people have enjoyed the spiritual and cultural values ​​brought by the projects themselves. And importantly, thanks to those projects, the number of tourists coming to our province is increasing day by day. In particular, projects on social culture, sports, and commerce related to tourism have been and are being invested in, renovated and embellished with great value, focusing mainly on spiritual and cultural tourism - one of the very effective development directions. However, currently, tourism investment projects in the province only focus on investing in the construction of hotels such as Saigon - Kim Lien, Muong Thanh - Song Lam, Phuong Dong, Muong Thanh - Dien Chau, Bai Lu Resort, etc.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed: To create favorable conditions for investors, the province thoroughly reforms administration and joins hands to remove difficulties for investors. In order to exploit the potential of sea tourism, resort tourism, and ecotourism, one of Nghe An's strengths, from now until 2015 the province is calling for investment focusing on key ecotourism projects such as Pha Lai - Con Cuong ecotourism resort project; Trang Den - Nam Dan lake; Khe Kem waterfall; Mui Rong - Nghi Thiet; Quyet - Ben Thuy mountain park; Giang Son - Do Luong hot mineral water; Xao Va waterfall; Ecotourism and conservation area of ​​rare African animals; Pu Mat National Park Ecotourism Area, Vietnam Ethnic Culture Tourism Village, Historical Cultural Ecotourism Village... If successful, these projects will be the highlight to create new, attractive, unique tourism products for Nghe An tourism and the whole Central region, meeting the needs of sea bathing, sightseeing, relaxation, culture - festivals, spirituality of domestic and foreign tourists.

Thanh Thuy